Integral flushing solution for blood stasis prevention in artificial heart valves

Abstract

A prosthetic valve having a frame, a leaflet structure having leaflets forming a primary valve mounted inside the frame, and at least one secondary valve is disclosed. The secondary valve can have a valve element with stationary portion and a detached portion, and at least one aperture in at least one leaflet. The secondary valve can be formed by a portion of at least one leaflet.

1 . A prosthetic valve comprising:
 a frame;   a leaflet structure having at least one leaflet forming a primary valve mounted inside the frame;   at least one secondary valve element connected to at least one leaflet, wherein the at least one secondary valve element has a stationary portion and a detached portion; and   at least one aperture in the at least one leaflet and proximate to the secondary valve element;   wherein when the leaflet structure closes, the secondary valve element closes and covers the aperture;   wherein when the leaflet structure opens, the secondary valve element moves to create a secondary flow path through the aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The prosthetic valve of  claim 1 , wherein the stationary portion is connected to a perimeter of the leaflet structure. 
     
     
         3 . The prosthetic valve of  claim 1 , wherein the stationary portion is connected to an inner portion of the at least one leaflet. 
     
     
         4 . The prosthetic valve of  claim 1 , further comprising a skirt positioned between the leaflet structure and the frame. 
     
     
         5 . The prosthetic valve of  claim 4 , wherein the skirt contacts at least a portion of the internal side of the frame. 
     
     
         6 . A prosthetic valve comprising:
 a frame;   a leaflet structure having leaflets forming a primary valve mounted inside the frame;   wherein a disconnected portion of at least one leaflet is not attached to the frame;   wherein when the leaflet structure closes to impede fluid flow through the primary valve, the disconnected portion of the leaflet closes;   wherein when the leaflet structure opens to allow fluid flow through the primary valve, the disconnected portion of the leaflet opens.   
     
     
         7 . The prosthetic valve of  claim 6 , wherein the disconnected portion is located near an outer perimeter of the leaflet structure. 
     
     
         8 . The prosthetic valve of  claim 6 , further comprising a skirt positioned between the leaflet structure and the frame. 
     
     
         9 . The prosthetic valve of  claim 6 , wherein the disconnected portion is not attached to the frame. 
     
     
         10 . A method of blood stasis prevention comprising:
 providing a prosthetic valve having a frame; a leaflet structure having at least one leaflet forming a primary valve mounted inside the frame; at least one secondary valve connected to at least one leaflet, wherein the at least one secondary valve has a stationary portion and a detached portion; and at least one aperture in the at least one leaflet and proximate to the secondary valve;   closing the secondary valve and covering the aperture, when the leaflet structure closes;   opening the secondary valve to create a secondary flow path through the aperture when the leaflet structure opens.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the stationary portion is connected to at least one leaflet at an outer perimeter of the leaflet structure. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the stationary portion is connected to an inner portion of the at least one leaflet. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising a skirt positioned between the leaflet structure and the frame. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the skirt contacts the external wall of the frame. 
     
     
         15 . A method of blood stasis prevention comprising:
 providing a prosthetic valve having a frame; a leaflet structure having leaflets forming a primary valve mounted inside the frame; wherein a disconnected portion of at least one leaflet is not attached to the frame;   closing a slit formed by the disconnected portion of the leaflet, when the leaflet structure closes;   opening the slit formed by the disconnected portion of the leaflet, when the leaflet structure opens.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the disconnected portion is located at an outer perimeter of the leaflet structure.